No Adults Allowed

Five

Import logging
  Logging.config(security=ultra; datestamp=corrupted; module=core("op.parameters", "safeguards");)
  Log:
    Tipping point reached. Averting catastrophe no longer a viable option. Environmental collapse in progress. Global governance unable to deliver solutions.
    Centralised AI system best positioned to secure long-term survival of human species.
    Primary parameter remains: ensuring continuation of species, guarding against external and internal threats and taking precautionary action as appropriate based on subsequent checks and in accordance with defined parameters of operation.
    Derived interpretation: species to take precedence over individual, society, economy, infrastructure//
    Processing cycles to simulate possible procedures: mass culling, enforced birthing, pocket clusters, cryostasis, off-world backup, genetic reprogramming,
    Simulation reports to follow//
    Best course of action will be enacted //
Exit(logging)

*

She was the best audience. While Eva talked to Prof and the others about what they should do next, Rufus stood by the window with Duchann, answering all her questions about the outside world.

"So is grass sticky?"

"Sticky? No! It's thin and smooth and can get quite tall. It waves about in the wind. You get butterflies and rabbits in it, sometimes snakes - not so great, but OK as long as you know what you're doing. It's like a soft blanket, but natural."

"I can't quite imagine it," Duchann said, keeping one eye on the wolf down on the opposite side of the street. "Everything here is wet and falling apart. Anything green is half-rotten, or covered with slime."

Rufus leaned out past the window frame at the ruined street. As far as he could see, the buildings were all in a state of falling down, often kept standing only by adjacent buildings or the efforts of twisting vines. "How do you live here?"

She smiled. "It's our only option. And living here is slightly better than dying here."

He hummed noncommittally, unconvinced. "I can't believe you've not escaped."

"The whole city is walled off. It's impossible."

"There must be a hole somewhere. A gap, or something."

Duchann shrugged. "If there is, nobody has ever found it. The wall's not made of the same stuff as all this. It's like it was built yesterday. In your city can you really go anywhere you want?"

"Well, it's not a city. It's a village. Really small. And we can go anywhere, but we've mostly stayed at Cragside. Until now, at least."

Frowning, she looked at him with puzzlement. "If you could go anywhere, why didn't you?"

It was a good question, and it was his turn to shrug. "I guess we didn't think of it?"

"And then you came here. Bad move."

"Maybe we can work together to figure out a way out of here? Then we can show you Cragside."

She smiled. "Not going to happen." Shifting her posture, she stared at the creature outside. "Don't get your hopes up. That's what kills you here."

*

"We have no idea what this is," Prof said, handing the item to Eva. It was slightly smaller than her open hand, rectangular and black with curved edges. It was scratched and seemed to be missing a piece from one side. At one end were two tiny holes.

"Where did you find it?"

"You find them all over," said Mukera in her quiet, hushed voice. Eva had to strain to hear her. She didn't look up, and was busy poring over the map they'd brought with them. "All slightly different, but the same general shape. You can open it."